Slip and fall accidents can lead to devastating consequences. Serious injuries are associated with outdoor Illinois slip and fall accidents, such as brain trauma, spinal injuries and broken bones. In some instances, a slip and fall can even be fatal. If you have been seriously injured in a slip and fall in Chicago, you should contact a Chicago injury lawyer.
If someone you love has been killed in an outdoor slip and fall accident, a Chicago wrongful death lawyer can help you file a Chicago wrongful death claim. Contact a Chicago injury lawyer who can help fight for your rights or the rights of a loved one.
Conditions That Can Lead to Outdoor Slip and Fall Accidents
If a property owner is found liable for conditions that have led to an outdoor slip and fall accident, you may be eligible to file a Chicago wrongful death lawsuit or personal injury lawsuit.
Chicago weather is notorious for tough wintery conditions, like snow and ice. This can be a contributing factor to outdoor slip and fall accidents. In each city or township, there may be specific laws pertaining to property owners removing ice or snow from outside a building.
Property owners aren’t generally held liable for the natural accumulation of snow or ice, but if the owners’ actions result in an “unnatural” accumulation of snow and ice, the owner may be found liable for any accidents that occur as a result.
Specific conditions that may lead to liability on behalf of the property owner include:
- Accumulation of ice on roof which then melts and drips off because the drain is clogged, resulting in the ice refreezing on the ground;
- Poor maintenance of a parking lot that results in melting ice turning into puddles and then refreezing into patches of ice; and
- Negligent removal of ice or snow.
Improper outdoor lighting can also lead to a slip and fall accident. If a person isn’t able to see where they are walking, they can easily fall. Property owners are responsible for making sure there is adequate lighting in parking lots or other areas around a building where a person could be injured.
There may be elements at play in a Chicago outdoor slip and fall accident that are less obvious than the condition of the walking surface. For instance, a failure to provide adequate lighting can result in a person:
- Tripping over a curb;
- Falling on a step or stairs that lead into a store or public business; or
- Tripping or falling because of cracks, uneven surfaces or holes.
Maintaining Sidewalks and Parking Lots to Prevent Slip and FallsParking lots must be maintained in such a way that they are safe for people to use at all times. Property owners must take care to fill in and repair any holes or cracks. The surface of a parking lot must also be even, so that differing heights don’t result in a person falling.
Since sidewalks are typically owned and maintained by the town or city, property owners are usually not held responsible for slip and fall accidents that occur on a public sidewalk.
However, a court may hold a property owner liable for sidewalks that are used exclusively for their own customers. In addition, if a property owner’s walkway results in a Chicago slip and fall accident, they would be held responsible for any resultant injuries or death.
After an Outdoor Slip and Fall Accident in Illinois
Because falling accidents can result in serious personal injuries, it is important that if someone is injured in an outdoor slip and fall accident, they immediately seek medical attention. Some injuries are not immediately evident, so it is important to consult with a medical doctor who can examine and document your injuries.
It is also important that you immediately take pictures of the scene and get contact information from any witnesses to the accident. Injuries in a slip and fall accident can lead to extensive medical expenses and lost wages, and your Chicago injury lawyer will need as much evidence as possible to support your personal injury claim.
In extreme cases, a slip and fall can even lead to death, such as when severe head trauma results. A Chicago wrongful death lawyer can assist you in filing a Chicago wrongful death lawsuit if someone you love has been killed in an outdoor slip and fall.
Hiring a Chicago Injury Lawyer
During this time, recovering from your injuries should be your main focus, not dealing with insurance adjusters and escalating medical bills. Retaining the legal services of a Chicago injury lawyer can help you focus on getting better while your attorney deals with the insurance companies on your behalf.
A Chicago injury lawyer from the Law Offices of Barry G. Doyle, P.C. will help you monitor your medical expenses and work toward a settlement to cover all of the treatments you need to get your life back on track. Contact us today for a free case evaluation – 312-263-1080.
